Wood and stem anatomy of Lardizabalaceae, with comments on the vining habit, ecology and systematics

CARLQUIST, S., 1984. Wood and stem anatomy of Lardizabalaceae, with comments on the vining habit, ecology and systematics. Qualitative and quantitative data, based mostly upon liquid-preserved specimens, are presented for Akebia, Roquila, Decaisnea, Holbodia, Lardizabala, Sinofranchetia and Stauntonia . Because Decaisnea is a shrub whereas the other genera are vines, anatomical differences attributable to the scandent habit can be considered. These include exceptionally wide vessels, a high proportion of vessels to tracheids (or other imperforate trdcheary elements) as seen in transection, simple perforation plates, multiseriate rays which are wide and tall, and pith which is partly or wholly sclerenchymatous. With respect to ecology, two features are discussed: spirals in narrower vessels may relate to adaptation to freezing in the species of colder areas, and crystalliferous sclereids seem adapted in morphology and position to deterrence of phytophagous insects or herbivores. The wood may provide mechanisms for maintaining conduction even if wider vessels are deactivated temporarily by formation of air embolisms. Wood and stem anatomy of Lardizabalaceae compare closely to those of Berberidaceae and of Clematis (Ranunculaceae), as well as to other families of Berberidales. Decaisnea is more primitive than these in having consistently sralariform perforation plates and in having scalariform pitting on lateral walls of vessels. A tentative listing of anatomical features which may correspond to generic limits is given.